Vaccinations help prevent the spread of measles.(Photo: David Wallace/The Republic)

A teenage international traveler who competed in a dance championship at the Arizona Grand Resort two weeks ago may have exposed others to measles, officials say.

The teenager who tested positive for measles participated in the World Hip Hop Dance Championship Aug. 9-11 at the hotel near Interstate 10 and Baseline Road in Phoenix, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said in a statement issued Friday.

The department said the teenager was infected while also at Sky Harbor International Airport Terminal 2 Aug. 11 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., officials said.

The department is continuing to gathering information about other locations the teenager may have visited while in Maricopa County, the statement said.

“Measles is highly contagious and can expose individuals up to 2 hours after an infected individual has left the room,” said Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for disease control at Maricopa County Public Health. “Because of this, it is important that anyone who was in the same place as this person (to) monitor for measles for 21 days after the exposure.”

People who have not developed symptoms by Sept. 2 are in the clear, Sunenshine added.

State health officials monitored a similar situation in May after a case was confirmed in Pima County. At that time, the Arizona Department of Health Services stressed the importance of vaccines as a preventative measure. The case was considered part of a larger national outbreak.

Measles is described by county health officials as a vaccine-preventable viral illness that's spread through coughing, sneezing and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected person.

Symptoms of measles begin with a fever, red and watery eyes, cough and runny nose, the press release states. A rash that's red, raised and blotchy will follow early symptoms and typically begins on the face at the hairline before moving down the body, it adds.

People who develop symptoms are urged to stay home and contact a health care provider over the phone, according to the press release.